WONDER OF THE NEW CREATION

"Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS have become NEW” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

GOD’S WORD is definite on the WONDER of the NEW CREATION in Christ: “Therefore, if ANYONE is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS have become NEW” (2 Cor.5:17). This is a continual reminder of our New Life in Christ, a life which remains "new" and amazing, even when our body may be getting old (2Cor.4:16). The word “therefore” connects to the preceding verses 14-16. Having outlined the frailty of man's flesh and the mysterious glory of Christ's cross, Paul reached his climactic conclusion: that because of His great love and our reconciliation to the Father through Christ, anyone who is in union with Christ, by believing His finished work on Calvary, has been made a new creation!

Christ died for us, so that we might no longer live for ourselves but for Him. He loved us when we were unlovely. In fact, He loved us when we were ungodly, sinners, and enemies (Rom. 5:6-10). When He died on the cross, Christ proved His love for the world (Jh.3:16), the church (Eph. 5:25), and individual sinners (Gal. 2:20). Therefore, no matter our race or age, gender or heritage, nationality or language, education or intelligence, colour or ethnicity, the gospel of Christ is for ANYONE and everyone. ALL who believe are positioned 'IN CHRIST', by faith. Everyone has an opportunity to be washed in Christ's blood, and become a member of His Body, a completely new person, with a new nature and a new life.

All who believe are born anew and covered in Christ's perfect righteousness. Old things are passed and gone, and by the power of the Spirit, we are made a new creature, born into the Family of God. The old life is replaced by the new, with a heavenly destiny and a glorious inheritance. We are positioned in Him, seated with Him in heavenly places, and have been made joint-heirs with Him. We are identified with Him and have become one with Him. Galatians 2:20 is our living reality! We are united together with Christ, and have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us into all truth.

Paul himself was a prime example of a life that was radically transformed, by grace through faith in Christ. From being the greatest persecutor of Christ and His Church, he became one of His most ardent admirers – dedicating his life for the One he loved so dearly. As the greatest oppressor of the early Christian Church, Paul was supernaturally changed on that road to Damascus, when Jesus made Himself known to him, and he repented of his past life and turned to the Lord. Paul became a new creation in Christ – old things were passed away in his life; all things became new, as he boldly began proclaiming Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

This new life is an abundant life, with a totally new nature and an eternal destiny. It’s given to each Believer as a free and eternal gift of God's grace. This new nature is not a patching-up of the old sin nature, nor a re-training of the old sinful self. God makes us something that is entirely new, different, and wonderful. Throughout His earthly life, Christ was 'in God'. He was filled with the Spirit and walking with God, delighting to do the Father’s bidding. His food was to do the will of His heavenly Father and finish the work He was sent to do (Jh.4:34). Similarly, the new life of a believer, in union with Christ, is to live out this earthly life in Christ and for Christ, daily delighting to do His Will

In Christ, we are not the old model, repaired or mended. It is not the old life that God reconditions or restores. We are not simply set-right, but made an entirely new person. We are born into a new creation; identified with Christ. Let us accept this truth in righteousness and true holiness by faith, and in everything, do all to His praise and glory!